CFO bringing back Give Ozarks

Community Foundation of the Ozarks Inc. is bringing back the Give Ozarks online fundraiser.

Give Ozarks is scheduled March 24, 2021, with a "rally for recovery" theme, according to a news release. Last held in 2017, the event utilizes Cause Momentum, CFO's crowdfunding portal developed in partnership with Mostly Serious LLC, for 24 hours of fundraising.

“Operating funds are often the hardest type of money to raise because donors are often attracted to marquee projects that advance a nonprofit’s mission,” CFO President Brian Fogle said in the release. “But as this very challenging moment in history continues, we want to encourage donors to help nonprofits keep their doors open to provide the valuable services that help sustain all of us, ranging from basic needs to areas like art and nature that have helped so many of us cope over these months.”

Give Ozarks in 2017 raised nearly $1.4 million for more than 240 nonprofits. For the three years it was held 2015-17, it raised more than $3.6 million in donations, prizes and matching funds.

CFO chose to pause the event after the 2017 fundraiser to avoid sponsor and donor fatigue, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting.